On March 30th, the China-Caribbean Development Center’s medical supplies donation handover ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. Ambassador Yan Xiusheng, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Barbados Sonia Browne, and Chief Operations Officer of the QEH Christine Greenidge, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Huang Xinhua, counselor of the Embassy, representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Barbados and the QEH were also in attendance.
In his remarks, Ambassador Yan pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Barbados 46 years ago, the two countries have continuously enhanced political mutual trust, promoted the Belt and Road Initiative and carried out fruitful cooperation in various areas, setting an example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development between countries of different sizes. China has always firmly supported the development of medical and health undertakings in Barbados and has continued to provide assistance to the best of its capacity to Barbados, including donation of 30,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine, more than ten batches of urgently needed ppes, and carrying out experience exchange on epidemic prevention and control. Otherwise, there have been 5 Chinese Medical Teams with 40 doctors and nurses working in Barbados in total since 2016. Last July, in order to implement the outcomes of the Third Ministers' Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and enhance development cooperation between China and Caribbean countries, The China-Caribbean Development Center was formally established. The Center focuses on development issues of concern to the Caribbean side, and facilitating high-standard, sustainable and people-centered cooperation projects to further benefit the people of Barbados and other Caribbean countries.
Ambassador Yan pointed out that over the past three years, China has taken an extraordinary journey in its COVID-19 prevention and control work. Always putting the people and their lives first, the CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core has optimized prevention and control measures in light of evolving situations, efficiently coordinated COVID-19 response with economic and social development, and effectively protected the people's lives and health. With continuous efforts to optimize COVID-19 prevention and control measures since November 2022, China's COVID-19 response has made a smooth transition in a relatively short time, with more than 200 million people accessing medical services, nearly 800,000 severe cases receiving proper treatment, and the country's COVID-19 fatality rate remaining the world's lowest. China's anti-epidemic history will stand firmly and be engraved in the collective memory of mankind.
Ambassador Yan stated that the year 2023 marks the beginning of full implementation of the guiding principles laid down at the 20th CPC National Congress. It is also an important year for the friendly relations between China and Barbados to enter a new stage of development. China is willing to work with friends in Barbados to continue to promote cooperation between the two countries in key areas including medical care, promoting The Belt and Road Initiative, advancing the Global Development Initiative, and building an even closer China-Barbados community of shared future.
Minister Browne stated in her remarks that she highly appreciates China’s long-term strong support for Barbados’ economic and social development, and that the medical supplies provided by China have helped Barbados successfully fight against the epidemic and greatly reduced its mortality rate of COVID-19 among its citizens. She also expressed relief that the medical supplies donated by the China-Caribbean Development Center to Queen Elizabeth Hospital were received just in time, and she looked forward to closer cooperation between the two sides in various fields including healthcare.
After the ceremony ended, Ambassador Yan met with local media reporters together with Minister Browne.
